Syesha Raquel Mercado (born January 3, 1987) is a singer-songwriter, actress, and finalist on American Idol season 7.
She auditioned for American Idol Season 7 in Miami, Florida singing "Think" by Aretha Franklin where she made it to Hollywood with all three judges saying 'yes'. When she arrived in Hollywood she had lost her voice and insisted on going on vocal rest. She was seen communicating through pen and paper throughout the week. She sang "Chain of Fools" and was accepted into the top 24. She is currently in the Top 3 and is the last girl remaining in the competition.
Despite fairly good reviews from the judges, Mercado has been in the bottom two or three five times without being voted off. She has drawn many male admirers with her supermodel looks and incredible figure.
According to her AmericanIdol.com profile, Mercado's musical influences are Whitney Houston, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Zap Mama, Lauryn Hill, and Aretha Franklin.
Mercado was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Her mother, Zelda, is African-American and her father, José, is of Cuban descent. She grew up in Sarasota, Florida and graduated from Booker High School in 2005, where she was in the Theater VPA (Visual and Performing Arts) department. At the 2005 Florida Theatre Conference and the 2005 South Eastern Theater Conference Syesha won "Best Supporting Actress" for her role as the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical. Mercado also appeared on the failed competition, The One: Making a Music Star. She currently resides and attends Florida International University in Miami, Florida.